Automatic punching apparatus.



E. U. FERRIS.

AUTOMATIC PUNCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 9, 1910.

Patented Oct. 22, 191-2.

3 W00 wfor, 154W, 6, r 4 g 3:5 auto mum ELMER C. FERRIS, F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC PUNCHING: APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ()ct. 22, 1912.

Application filed December 9, 1910. Serial No. 596,429.

1 '0 all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER C. FERRIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Elizabeth, county of Union, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Punching Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to apparatus for producing marks on metal surfaces and other hard objects and more specifically consists of an improved magazine punch and spring hammer therefor.

The present process of punching figures, letters or other characters on metal objects such as jigs, tools and the like, consists in using individual punches having the character formed in relief 'on one end, and strilr ing the other end with a hammer. This is a somewhat tedious and awkward operation and frequently results in the characters being impressed on the article in an irregular manner. To avoid this I have invented an automatic apparatus in which one or more punch-es may be held in accurate position during the operation and each driven into the material tobe marked with a blow of predetermined and graduated force.

The best form of apparatus at present known to me embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus with one punch protruded into operative po sition. Fig. 2 is similar view with parts broken away or in section to show the interior construction, and-a modified device for graduating the hammer blow. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the ham iner and retaining pawl and trip therefor. Fig. 4 is a detail of a modified form of punch shown in section, and Fig. 5 is a detail side view of the hammer blow graduating attachment, with parts broken away.

Throughout the drawings like reference characters indicate like parts.

1 represents the handle of the apparatus which forms a casing for the hammer 2.

This handle is composed of two sections telescoping one within the other, 1 being the upper and outer-section, and 1 being the lower and inner section of the telescoping joint.

lar in shape, containing a series of punches 5, 5, located in pockets 4-. provided therefor.

6 is an anvil plunger mount-ed in the lower end of the handle sect-ion 1 and in line with any particular punch which may be brought into position by the rotation of the magazine 3 upon its pivot 7. This anvil plunger is provided with a radial projecting pin 6 which controls its movement and position as hereinafter to be explained.

The magazine pivot 7 is fastened in or made integral with a supporting bracket 7 which is attached tothe lower handle section 1 8 is a retaining screw in the end of the pivot 7 for retaining the annular magazine in position on its pivot. Each one of the punches 5, 5, is surrounded with a spiral spring 9 seated in the pocket 4 in the magazine and pressing against the head 10 formed on the upper end of the punch, and thus normally tending to hold each punch withdrawn into said magazine to an extent which causes the operative faces of all the punches to be in substantially the same plane, as shown in Fig. 2.

38, is a guide pin in the punch head run ning'in slot 33 formed in the side of the pocket so as to prevent any radial adjustment of the punch.

The pin 6* on the anvil plunger runs in the straight guide slot 13 cut in the side of the lower section 1? of the handle and also projects through this slot and into the oblique slot 12 formed in the ring 11 mounted on the lower section of the handle, and re tatable thereon. 11 is an outer ring shrunk on or otherwise fastened to the ring 11, and having'its exterior knurled or otherwise finished to enable the operator to readily grasp the same and rotate the two rings.

14 is a spring pawl for retaining the hammer in a given position of adjustment and is fastened to the interior of the section 1 of the handle by holding screws 14?, 14, or other equivalent means. This spring pawl engages with any one of the notches 15. 15 15*, cut in the bottom of the groove 16 formed in the side of the hammer l, and in the edges of the slot 17 cut through the side of the hammer into the central hoilow space within. In this hollow space or bore of the hammer block there moves the spindle 19 carrying the trip block 18 which has a beveled corner and which protrudes through the slot 17 sufficiently to strike the spring pawl 14 and force it out of engagement with any of the notches 15, 15, &c. with which it may be normally engaged.

18 is a pin preventing complete with drawal of 18 from slot 17. 20 is a spiral spring seated in the upper handle section 1 and pressing against the upper end of the lower section 1 and normally tending to extend the handle in the position shown in the drawings.

21 is a hammer driving spring located and seated in the handle section 1 and bearing against the upper end of the hammer 2, normally forcing it down so that pin 18 rests on the upper edge of trip block 18.

In the lower handle section 1 is formed a stepped graduating slot 22 provided with the steps 22, 22 and on the upper handle section 1 is carried the rotatable exterior graduating ring 23 which has the inwardly projecting pin 24 engaging the graduating slot 22. This ring 23 is provided with the exterior spring clip 25 adapted to engage one or the other of a series of recesses 26, 26 26", formed in the exterior of the section '1. \Vhen the ring 23 is rotated on the section 1 the pin or stop 24 travels in the cross slot 27.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the punch 28 instead of having an enlarged head, as shown in Fig. 2, is made in straight cylindrical form with the exception of the circular slot 29, which is cut to form several facets, four being indicated in the drawing. The spring pawl 30 which engages this circ'ular slot 29 is mounted in the groove 32 formed in the magazine 3. 31 is a spiral spring for normally forcing the pawl upward and holding the punch retracted, as

shown in Fig. 4. The lower end of the bore in the lower handle section 1 in which the anvil plunger 6 is guided-is slightly flared or beveled, as shown at 34 in Fig. 2, to form a flaring recess in which the upper end of the punch 5 may center itself under the upward pressure of its retracting spring, and so insure the accurate alinement of the punch with the anvil plunger before the plunger is forced down to protrude the punch. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, this registration is insured by the hemispherical upper end of spring plunger pawl 30 entering the recess 34.

Such being the construction of the apparatus, the operation is as follows: Normally the hammer is in the position shown in the drawing, the telescoping handle is-extended and all of the punches are withdrawn so that their operative faces are practically in the same plane with the exception of the punch which is in line with the handle, which is slightly depressed because its upper end has entered the beveled recess in the lower end of the handle, as last above explained with reference to Fig. 2, or by the rounded end of 30 entering recess 34 as explained with reference to Fig. 4, in order to hold the magazine in proper adjustment. In this position of the parts the rings 11, 11*, are turned in a position such that the pin 6 on the anvil plunger is at the upper ends of slots 12 and 13, and the anvil plunger is drawn up into the handle. To use the punch the magazine 3 is rotated until the punch having the desired figure, letter or other character is thus entered in line with the anvil plunger, then the rings 11, 11*, are turned into the position shown in Fig. 2 so as to force down the anvil plunger and protrude the punch below it. The two sections of the handle are then telescoped by pressing the upper section down, which compresses the spring 20 and further compresses spring 21 until the trip block 18 has dropped far enough inside of the hammer to strike the retaining pawl 14 and force it out of the notch with which it is engaged. Then, the hammer being thus released, the hammer driving spring 21 expands, drives the hammer down upon the anvil plunger and delivers the blow, which is transmitted through it to the punch, causing theoperative face of the same to sink into the metal upon which it is placed and mark the same with the character formed in relief upon the operative end or face of the punch. Pressure being taken off the upper end of the handle by the operative, the handle is extended again, the hammer is retracted and locked in such position, the anvil plunger is I withdrawn by turning the rings 11, 11*, the magazine is turned until the next punch which is to be used is in line and the operation repeated.

The above described operation takes place when the ring 23 is in the position shown in Fig. 5. If it is desired to soften the blow of the hammer, the'handle is telescoped the necessary proportion of its movement, and the ring 23 turned so that the stop or pin 24 will engage one or the other of the steps 22 or 22 formed in the slot 22. This will limit the extension of the telescoping handle when the pressure of the hand is removed and; leave the hammer farther down in the section 1 with the retaining pawl 14 engaging one of the upper notches 15 or 15 in said hammer, and upon operating the hammer in this position, the hammer driving spring will be compressed only a portion of its possible extent-of compression before the hammer is tripped and a blow of less force will accordingly be delivered upon the anvil plunger. I

'VVith the form of punch shown in Fig. 2, it is evident that the position of the character on the end of the punch is fixed with reference to the magazine, usually being placed ring which forms the magazine, and it may happen that, when a character is to be punched upon a piece of metal in a position partly inaccessible by reason of adjacent obstacles, the tool cannot be held in a position which will bring the character right side up. To overcome this ditl'iculty, I may employ the modification shown in Fig. 4 in which the punch may be placed in any one of four positions in the magazine by means of the radial adjustn'ient rendered possible by the tour facets in the circular notch. The punch can then be turned so that the center line of the cl aracter will be at right angles to the radius of the magazine or in line therewith, and this adjustment may be made in either direction or the character may be turned upside down with reference to the magazine center. The end of the punch 28 may be squared as shown at 35 to enable it to be grasped by a small wrench to thus turn it. The upper ends of the punches and the lower end of the anvil plunger (3 may be preferably chamfered o'tt' at the edges slightly so that any upsetting action due to constant hammering will not form a projecting bur which would jam the parts in the drill pockets, arr prevent the plunger entering any given pocket which did not register exactly with said plunger. The pin 18 also serves an important purpose in enabling the hammer driving spring to be held under constant tension of any predetermined amount. with the result that even after the hammer has traveled its full distance and delivered its blow on the anvil, it is still under positive pressure from its driving spring. This produces a strong blow, prevents any rebound either of hammer or punch and permits a heavier blow to be delivered with a shorter amount of hammer and handle travel than would otherwise be possible.

The advantages of my invention comprise the convenience resulting from having a complete. set of punches in one tool cooperating with one hammer, the facility of holding the punch in exactly the position desired. the possibility of delivering a blow of predetermined force on the punch, and the particularly accurate and clean cut work done by the apparatus as the result of these features. I may conveniently mark upon the circumference of the magazine opposite each punch the character to be cut by said punch so as to facilitate the adjustment of the magazine, all as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings lVhil as shown my invention presents a complete operative tool for the purpose described. itis evident that various portions of j the complete apparatus could be used either E alone or in connection with other mechanism for similar purposes. and also other resilient means tor operating the hammer might be substituted tor the spring Having, therefore, described my invention, I claim 1. In an automatic punching apparatus, the combination of a spring operated hammer, a magazine of punches, and means for bringing any one of the punches in line with the hammer and adapted to cause said hammer to deliver a blow upon the punch in line therewith.

2. In an automatic punching apparatus, the combination of a spring operated hammer, a magazine of punches, and means for bringing any one of the punches in line with the hannner and adapted to cause said hammer to deliver a blow uponthe punch in line therewith, said means connn'ising a casing for the hammer and a rotatable magazine tor the punches pivotally mounted with reference to the hammer casin In an automatic punching apparatus, the combination of a spring operated hammer, a magazine of punches, and means for bringing any one of the punches in line with the hammer, said means comprising a casing for the hammer and a rotatable magazine for the punches pivotally mounted with reference to the hammer casing, together with a movable anvil plunger adapted to be withdrawn into the hammer casing or pro truded part way into the magazine.

l. The combination with a spring hammer apparatus and a rotatable magazine having a series of pockets for punches, of a combined magazine lock and anvil plunger mounted in the hammer ca sing and adapted to be protruded into any one of the punch pockets which may be brought in line with. it by rotation of the magazine.

5. The combination with a spring hammer apparatus and a rotatable magazine having a series of pockets for punches, ot' a combined magazine lock and anvil plunger mounted in the hammer casing and adapted to be protruded into any one of the punch pockets which may be brought in line with it by rotation of the magazine, together with means for withdrawing or protruding the anvil plunger which comprise aradial pin on said plunger. a guiding slot in the hammer casing parallel with the axis of the plunger, with which slot the pin engages, and a rotatable ring mounted on the casing provided with an oblique slot with which the pin also engages.

6.111 a multiple punch apparatus, the combination of a magazine provided with a series of pockets for punches, a series of punches, one in each pocket, means for normally holding said punches in said pockets so that they all project equal distances from the magazine, and means for protruding any one 01"" the punches farther from the magazine than its 'tellows tor the purpose of bringing it into operative position and thereafter delivering a blow to said punch.

7. In a multiple punch apparatus, the

- combination of a magazine provided with a series of pockets for punches, a series of punches, one in each pocket, means for normally holding said punches in said pockets so that they all project equal distances from the magazine, and means for protruding any one of the punches farther from the magazine than its fellows for the purpose of bringing it into operative position and thereafter delivering a blow to said punch, said means comprising an anvil plunger and carrying means therefor movable relatively to the magazine.

8. In a multiple punch apparatus, the combination of a magazine provided with a series of pockets for cylindrical punches, a punch in each pocket, and means for holding each punch in any one of several positions of radial adjustment in its pocket.

9. In a multiple punch apparatus, the combination of a magazine provided with a series of pockets for cylindrical punches, a punch in each pocket, and means for holding each punch in any one of several positions of'radial adjustment in its pocket, said means comprising a circular notch on each punch having a plurality of facets, and aspring pawl mounted in the side of the pocket adapted to engage any one of said facets which may be turned toward the pawl.

10. In a spring hammerapparatus for automatic punches and the like, the combination of a casing, a hollow cylindrical hammer mounted therein, a longitudinal slot through one side of the hammer, one or more notches in the edges of the slot, a

. sarin awl mounted in the casin and normally engaging one of these notches, and a beveled trip piece mounted in the hammer slot and adapted to engage and force the pawl out of engagement with any of the notches.

11. In a spring hammer apparatus for automatic punches and the like, the combination of a casing, a hollow cylindrical hammer mounted therein, a longitudinal slot through one side of the hammer, one or more notches-in the edges of the slot, a spring pawl mounted in the casing and normally engaging one of these notches, and a beveled trip piece mounted in the hammer slot and adapted to engage and force the pawl out of engagement with any of the notches, said hammer apparatus also comprising a spring for driving the hammer and means for forcing said trip against said pawl when the driving spring has been compressed to a predetermined extent.

12. In a spring hammer apparatus, the combination of a telescoping casing, a hammer movable in said casing, a spring for driving the hammer adapted to be compressed by the telescoping of the casing, an adjustable pawl and ratchet device for hol dnoeaaio precedent to the tripping of the hammer on telescoping the casing may be varied.

13. In a spring hammer apparatus, the combination of a telescoping casing, a hammer movable in said casing, a spring for driving the hammer adapted to be compressed by the telescoping of the casing, an adjustable pawl and ratchet device for holding the hammer in difierent positions in one section of the casing, a trip device for said pawl and ratchet carried by the other section of the casing, and means for holding the two sections in different normal positions of relative adjustment, whereby the extent of compression of the driving spring precedent to the tripping of the hammer on telescoping the casing may be varied, said means comprising a stepped slot in one section and an adjustable pin carried by the other section and engaging said slot.

14. In a spring hammer apparatus, the

spring for driving the hammer adapted to be compressed by the telescoping of the easing, an adjustable pawl and ratchet device for holding the hammer in diiferent positions in one section of the casing, a trip device for said pawl and ratchet carried by the other section of the casing, and means for holding the two sections in different normal positions of relative adjustment, whereby the extent of compression of the driving spring precedent to the tripping of the hammer on telescoping the casing may be varied, said means comprising a stepped slot in one section and a radially adjustable pin carried by the other section and engaging said slot, together with means for holding said pin in diiferent positions of radial adjustment.

15. In a multiple punch device, the combination of a handle, a magazine of punches rotatably mounted with reference to said handle, and springs normally forcing each punch toward the handle, the handle being provided. with a recess registering with the punch which may be in line with the handle, which said recess is flared to form a centering recess for the punch head.

16. In an automatic punching apparatus the combination of a power operated hammer, resilient means for driving the hammer, a magazine of. punches, and means for bringing any one of the punches in line with the hammer. 4

17. In a spring hammer apparatus, the combination of'a telescoping handle, a hammer mounted therein, means for limiting the in the hammer, a lateral projection from distance which the hammer may be driven that portion of the spindle located in said 10 with reference to one section of the tele bore and a rigid portion of the hammer enscoping handle and a hammer driving gaging said lateral projection on the spindle. spring normally compressed between the ELMER C. FERRIS. hammer and said section of the handle, said Witnesses: means comprising a spindle mounted in the A. PARKERSMITH, handle section and entering a central bore M. G. CRAWFORD. 

